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Ktunaxa business earns Indigenous Business Award
Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs are celebrated for their transformative achievements
The BC Achievement Foundation is honoured to announce the recipients of its 17th annual Indigenous Business Award (IBA) program, including a Ktunaxa Nation business.
The award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs, partnership entities and community-owned enterprises. It is one of five programs led by BC Achievement, an independent foundation that honours excellence and inspires achievement throughout the province.
“The 2025 Indigenous Business Award recipients embody the strength, vision, and wisdom of their Nations,” said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “Their entrepreneurial journeys are deeply rooted in community, land, and culture—honouring tradition while driving innovation. These leaders are building businesses that uplift future generations and reaffirm the vital role of Indigenous economies across these territories. BC Achievement is honoured to celebrate their successes.”
Now in its 17th year, the Indigenous Business Award program shares remarkable stories of Indigenous business excellence – while setting an inspiring example for the next generation of entrepreneurs. In addition to providing an authentic space to showcase successes and drive change, the award program helps build stronger connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous economies in the province. It counts over 230 business leaders within its alumni.
The awardee selection was made by a jury panel that included Tim Low, ANTCO Board President and member of Métis Nation BC; Ernie (Bones) George, CEO of Inlailawatash Natural Resource Services (2015 IBA alumni); and Ashley O’Neil owner of AshFireWear and an IBA 2024 alumna.
This year’s recipients include:
Business Partnership of the Year:
Kettle River Contracting LP, Cranbrook.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year:
4 Generations Creations, Kamloops.
Business of the Year – one-to-two-person enterprise
Touch of Culture, West Vancouver.
Business of the Year – three-to-10-person enterprise:
Authentic Indigenous Seafood Co-operation, Kamloops.
Business of the Year – 11+ person enterprise:
Salish Soils, Sechelt.
Community-owned Business of the Year – one entity:
Skwlāx Resource Management Ltd, Chase.
Community-owned Business of the Year – two or more entities:
Khowutzun Development Corporation, Duncan.
Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement:
Harold Calla, Squamish Nation.
Kettle River Contracting LP (KRC) is a proudly Indigenous-owned heavy civil construction company based in Cranbrook, and a subsidiary of Ktunaxa Enterprises Limited, part of the Ktunaxa Holding Limited Partnership group.
Serving the resource development industry across Western Canada, KRC specializes in site preparation, road building, infrastructure development, and environmental management.
Founded by members of the Ktunaxa Nation, KRC is dedicated to economic development, job creation, and capacity building for Indigenous communities.
Guided by Ktunaxa values of stewardship, integrity, and cultural respect, KRC works collaboratively with clients, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, to align projects with community goals and environmental standards. Through its commitment to excellence and community partnership, KRC is helping shape a future where Indigenous leadership and expertise are central to building sustainable communities across the region.
The recipients of the 2025 Indigenous Business Award will be recognized during a formal gala ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Wednesday, November 5. Awardees will receive a certificate and medallion to honour their achievements and be celebrated through an online campaign, #shinethelightbc.
BC Achievement is an independent foundation established in 2003 that celebrates the spirit of excellence in our province and serves to honour the best of British Columbia. In addition to the IBA, the organization presents several established programs, including the Polygon Award in First Nations Art, the Applied Art + Design Award, the Community Award and the British Columbia Reconciliation Award. By recognizing the accomplishments of our province’s entrepreneurs, artists, community leaders, youth and volunteers, BC Achievement’s award programs pay tribute to exceptional people, doing exceptional work, while carving a path forward for others to follow. www.bcachievement.com
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